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might answer the purpose, though by no means so completely as both would, for with one pier, passage-boats could not lye near its extremity on the west side in storms from westerly points, nor on the east side in storms from easterly points; but in either case must take the leeward side of the pier; now if a change of wind should suddenly happen, which is sometimes the case, and that at low water, boats could not safely be shifted from one side to the other; and in southerly winds, there would be some danger of their being driven on the rocks east of the pier, or forced into the beach at the harbour's mouth. Such danger would seldom occur, but even the chance of its occurrence is to be avoided if possible, and this could only be done by building a pier on each side of the entrance, which would render the harbour quite secure at all times:- -But as two piers would be equally beneficial to the trade as to the passage boats, it might be reasonable to require some contribution towards the expence, but on this subject the trustees are better judges than me.

The present road between Burntisland and Pettycur is very circuitous and hilly, and therefore if travellers were to arrive at either place, and find the wind and tide unfavourable, they would frequently not be able to reach the other before these advantages might be over, and thus a passage would be lost. It therefore seems to me absolutely necessary, if Burntisland is to be made a station for passage boats, that a shorter and better road should be made between it and Pettycur than the present. Mr Ainslie has taken the survey of a new road along the shore, which he finds practicable, and nearly on a level, and little longer than a straight line across the sands. The distance of the two harbours by this road will only be about two miles and a half, across the sands it is about two miles and a quarter. If therefore travellers should

arrive at Pettycur, and find the wind and tide unfavourable; if in a carriage or on horseback, they may get to Burntisland in twenty minutes, and travellers on foot may perform it in less than three quarters of an hour. In like manner, should they come to Burntisland, and find the wind or tide unfavourable, they may in as short a time get to the Pettycur. In most cases therefore they will be certain to have a passage from one or other of these harbours.

If a passage boat harbour is made at Newhaven, as recommended in my Report of February 1808, a new road will be required between Leith and Newhaven. The sea has made such encroachment on that shore as to have entirely ruined the old road, which even in its best state was but very indifferent.

If the Magistrates of Edinburgh shall extend their docks to Newhaven, a straight road will be opened from South Leith by the new drawbridge parellel to the dock, which will be the best and shortest that can be made; and if they make the new intended street from the foot of Leith walk, across the Water of Leith to the new docks, this will form an excellent communication with Edinburgh. But as the performance of these works depends on events which are not entirely under the controul of the Magistrates, there is no certainty when they may be undertaken. It may therefore be advisable, in case the trustees shall determine to execute the various works I have pointed out, that a survey for a road between Leith and Newhaven should be made, and powers taken to execute the work, in case the other shall not be undertaken before the completion of the new passageboat harbour at Newhaven. I am, GENTLEMEN,

Your most humble servant,
JOHN RENNIE.

(Signed)

London, March 13.1809.

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Intelligence concerning JOSEPH LAN

CASTER.

"I believe I shall not value my "life, if its sacrifice will finish "the work I am engaged in, "better than its perpetuity." Letter from Mr Lancaster to A. H.

VERY few labourers, in the humble yet highly useful walks of practical education, have, in modern times attracted so much of the public attention, as Mr Joseph Lancaster, of the society of Friends. Although unworthily traduced and persecuted by persons of loose principles, or those whom we may more charitably conclude to have been misled, this gentleman has moulded his exertions into a regular and independent system. Hundreds of poor children have been trained under his eye, to habits of industry and rectitude, and multitudes of them in a less advanced stage, are by his means, at this moment, hastening in their progress to that point of moral discipline and capacity, which is to render them valuable members of the state. In spite, however, of Mr Lancaster's unassuming manners, and of the obvious tendency of his plans, some men in that rank of British society, which should be remarkable for a liberal sanctity, have been so unfortunate as to join in stigmatizing him, and to oppose the force of authority to the benign influence of real knowledge. The facts upon which this statement is founded, are of such an abominable nature, that, were they produced in their proper deformity, the persons to whom they relate, would appear rather to approximate to the character of assassins, than to that of ministers of peace and truth. Subsequent events have shewn the imbecility of their malignance, and it will be well, for the present, to let them remain under the veil of their own confusion. The King and Royal Family, actuated by the force of their individual opinions, opinions which in this case do honour to their exalted Dec. 1809.

station, have not only delighted Mr Lancaster by their personal conference; but from their private purses have kindly bestowed that assistance which is always so useful, and have stiled his institution in London, "The Royal Free School." These are truths which

must be gratifying to all lovers of public virtue. It is honourable to Scottish philosophers, that among the tributes which have been paid to the system of "the free school," and to the merits of its founder, the most po̟lished, as well as the most remarkable for its innate superiority, has appeared in a late volume of a useful periodical work, published in this city.

It is not by any means my intention to retrace the events of Mr Lancaster's life. A few notices of prominent importance in the pleasing retrospect of his success, were however thought proper as a prelude to the intelligence that he is now engaged in the task of writing his own memoirs. Surely no person can be supposed to be so well qualified for writing the history of another's life, as that man his-self must be. This rule loses much of its force in the instances of great men who have been busily emplayed in some elevated sphere of society. In glancing with "the mind's eye," over the lapse of recent experience, this exception would be strikingly verified, and the attention would be arrested, to pay a tribute of submissive admiration, in the instances of the splendid, the solid Roscoe, and the philosophic Stewart. With names like these, there exists the most fascinating recollections, and indeed, the major part of profound thinkers, will be disposed to admit, that some of their sweetest and most profitable hours have been spent in conning the pages of biography. Narratives which have particular reference to the characters of

contemporaries, will be executed to most advantage by persons who have been actively employed, or who wish to represent their own motives and

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conduct. This rule, as a modification of our former maxim, is subject to the influence of fewer objections. Altho' a man who writes his own life should have the wish to put a false colouring upon his conduct, yet amidst his prevarications, a discerning mind can sift out the true springs of action, and many points of character will be developed which might have eluded the research of a more skilful biographer. Upon these principles, much instruction may be imparted in the memoirs of Mr Lancaster, though they involve in their progress neither the fates of kingdoms, nor the filthy intrigues and cabals of cabinets and factions. He informs me, that his "life will be an "interesting series of events, expressed in plain language." Simplicity must indeed form the chief feature in his intended work, if it is conducted by the amiable spirit that characterises his writings which have already been published. Those who have read Mr Clarkson's memoirs of the abolition of the slave trade, and who have appreviated that honourable record in its true light, will wait with agreeable and lively expectation, the appearance of a narrative, which is to trace the progress of the Royal British system "of education."

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With the benevolence of a true philanthropist, Mr Lancaster has turned his attention towards digesting a plan for the introduction of his system of education into Scotland, upon a regular basis, and under his own revision. Were no other advantage to be expected from this arrangement than that of extending the usefulness of the present charity schools, by instructing a great number of children at the same expence which is now requisite for a few, 'the intention ought to be hailed with joy. But, if the proposal be received with the same spirit in which it is made, the most astonishing effects may arise from its adoption for the children of the poor: This measure of a regular establishment by Mr

Lancaster, is likewise requisite for the justification and practical illustration of his principles, as no institution of the kind inScotland has emanated from him. Those which have been announced,have not been established with his approbation, and therefore the utilities of his me thod cannot be estimated from them. This is no more than a fair allowance, upon the same principle that we would believe a man more capable of using with effect, an instrument which he had invented, than another person, by whom it had been borrowed or stolen.

Making a moderate calculation of Mr Lancaster's zeal aud abilities, and keeping in view what he has done, as well as the distinguished friendship which he now enjoys, real good may be expected to flow from his future endeavours. The words at the beginning of this notice have been quoted from one of his letters, merely to show the force of his ideas on his interesting labours, and the natural warmth of feeling with which he expresses his-self upon them. Even those who are the least disposed to lay much stress on the more elevated moods of human nature, would, after the perusal of such sentiments, be inclined to respect the writer, and this the more, from his practice being in such strict coincidence with his expressions. If the tendency to trust in such professions be a disease, it is fortunate that it almost always makes appearance in an intermittent form. However, I trust that some who may happen to read these remarks, will be induced to form a dispassionate estimate of Mr Lancaster's merits. After the review of his works, they may join in the expressions of certain justly-valued literary journalists, upon a similar occasion, and "rise with pleasing and favour"able impressions of human nature in general *"

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I

* Edinburgh Review, Vol. 12. No. 24,

P. 379

ed.

To preserve the Remembrance of a long and valuable life, spent in the most useful of all employ

ments, this marble is inscribed with the name of

I feel peculiar satisfaction in mak- celebrated son of the above mentioning this statement. And it seems to be reasonable that the mind should delight to dwell upon the progress of the higher orders of mankind, from the same cause that it inclines to ponder on those wonderful appearances in the material world, which are often as inexplicable, as the real nature of that economy by which its own functions are carried on. EDINBURGH, 23d Nov. 1809. S

Alexr. Hendersox.

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Proh dolor in modico clauditur hoc tumulo.

98. In Gigglewick Church.

Here lie interred,

the REV. WILLIAM PALEY, B. A.
fifty-four years

Master of this Free School,
who died Sept. 29, 1799,
aged $8 years
also
ELIZABETH,

Wife of the Rev. WILLIAM PALEY,
who died March 9, 1796,
aged 83 years.

99. In the church of St Laurence, Appleby; written by Dr Paley, the

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RICHARD YATES, M. A. Fifty-eight years master of the Grammar School in this Town; whom

an accurate knowledge of Roman literature,

a just and harmonious Elocution, unwearied Diligence,

and

a serious attention to the moral
and religious improvement of his pupils
eminently qualified

for the important station which he held.
He died December the 31st. A. D. 1781,
and in the Eighty-first year of his age.
100. In Emanuel College Chapel,
Cambridge.
M. S.

Michaelis Smith, S. T. P.
De agro Dunelmensi nati,
Ecclesiae de Freckenhamni com. Suff.
Rectoris,

Viri comis, benevoli, justi,
qui

in hoc collegio co-optatus,
quod beneficiis
non vulgaribus
sibi devinxerat,
amoris ergo,

corpus suum in hoc porticu
humari voluit

Obiit 6 Maii 1773

Ætat. 73.

101. In St John's Church-yard, New-
castle upon Tyne.

Here lie the remains of
John Cunningham.

Of his excellence

as a pastoral poet,

His works will remain a monument

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Deo, ecclesiae, patriae, regi pie fidelis -obiit, Maii 22d A. D. 1689.

Etatis suae 77.

103. In the same place.

Exuviae Gulielmi Astell
Quas sub die resurrectionis spe
Fideliter hic custodiendas
Lubens deposuit

Sept 14. A°. Domini MDCLXXXIII.
Iterumque die illo magno... crucis
Hinc cum gaudio petendae
Gloriose induet immortalitatem.

Stay, reader, stay who wouldst, but canst not buy

Choice books, come read the church's library,

Which like Sybelline leaves here scatter'd flies

Perus'd alas here by men's feet, that lies

In single sheets, then neatly to be bound By God's own hand, when the last trump shall sound;

Amongst the rest glance on this marble leaf,

'Tis Astell's title page, and therefore brief,

Here lies the reliques of a man
But who was truly christian,
Whose sounder judgement, frantic
zeal,

Never hurried on her wheel
Of giddy error, whose heart bled
When rebel feet cut off their head,
And great good shepherd humbly
lay

To his mad flock a bleeding prey;
Who chearfully sustain'd the loss
Of all, for his dread Master's cross,
Triumphant Charles he's gone to

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With Music, Image, Sentiment, and Thoughts,

Never to die!

This monument was erected 1762.

106. In St Stephen's church, Coleman Street, London.

To the memory of that antient servant of the city with his pen, in divers employments, especially the Survey of London, Master Anthony Munday, citi zen and draper of London.

He that hath many an antient tombstone read,

(I'th' labour seeming more among the dead

To live, than with the living) that survey'd

Obstruse antiquities, and o'er them laid Such rare and beauteous colours with his pen,

That (spite of time) those old are new again,

Under this marble lies interr'd; his tomb Claiming (as worthily it may) this room, Among those many monuments his quill

Has so reviv'd, helping now to fill A place (with those) in his Survey; in which

He has a monument more fair, more rich

Than polish'd stones could make him, where he lies,

Tho' dead, still living, and in that ne'er

dies.

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And Captain Carvel a friend of his.

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